High amperage photocells

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Cow

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Eastern Oregon
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Electrician
Does such a beast exist for 277v? I looked through Intermatic's site and found some high amperage 15A photocells for 120v, 208-240, etc but no 277v models. We use the typical 8.3A ballast Intermatic's:
http://www.intermatic.com/~/media/Intermatic/Documentation/Specifier Guide/051_K4200Series_2pg.ashx

I have a handful of older installations I service where the lights are right on the ragged edge of the photocells capacity or even slightly over. I hate having to change photocells once or twice a year. Most of these installations someone put the photocell on the top of the first wallpak and then daisy chained the rest of them off of it. SOP for us it to add a contactor in a j-box, but there has to be an easier way for retrofits.

They need to make a combination photocell/RIB to handle a full 16+ amps of ballast load in all voltages!

Thanks for the help.
 
There's a simple workaround on this problem you've got there. All you need is a single low-amp photocell to drive a high-amp contactor (whatever your requirements maybe). Power source for your luminaires can be taken from the load side contacts of your contactor. That simple !
 
Cow said:
Does such a beast exist for 277v? I looked through Intermatic's site and found some high amperage 15A photocells for 120v, 208-240, etc but no 277v models. We use the typical 8.3A ballast Intermatic's:
http://www.intermatic.com/~/media/Intermatic/Documentation/Specifier Guide/051_K4200Series_2pg.ashx

I have a handful of older installations I service where the lights are right on the ragged edge of the photocells capacity or even slightly over. I hate having to change photocells once or twice a year. Most of these installations someone put the photocell on the top of the first wallpak and then daisy chained the rest of them off of it. SOP for us it to add a contactor in a j-box, but there has to be an easier way for retrofits.

They need to make a combination photocell/RIB to handle a full 16+ amps of ballast load in all voltages!

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Intermatic K4136M, 120 or 277VAC, Ballast-rated 15A

http://www.intermatic.com/Products/Sensors/PhotoControls/K4100_and_K4400_Series/K4136M.aspx
 
topgone said:
There's a simple workaround on this problem you've got there. All you need is a single low-amp photocell to drive a high-amp contactor (whatever your requirements maybe). Power source for your luminaires can be taken from the load side contacts of your contactor. That simple !
Click to expand...

You did not read his post before answering did you?:p
 
iwire said:
You did not read his post before answering did you?:p
Click to expand...

What's wrong with my post? Since the OP said he can't find a photocell rated at his voltage/amper rating of choice, why not work around the problem and use a contactor fed with 277V power? If you didn't get the scheme, ask. The photocell circuit should be dictated by the photocell rating! Ain't that clear enough?:happysad::happysad::happysad::happysad:
 
topgone said:
What's wrong with my post? Since the OP said he can't find a photocell rated at his voltage/amper rating of choice, why not work around the problem and use a contactor fed with 277V power? If you didn't get the scheme, ask. The photocell circuit should be dictated by the photocell rating! Ain't that clear enough?:happysad::happysad::happysad::happysad:
Click to expand...

This is what Iwire was referring too, I was trying to get away from a contactor in a box and the labor to cut it into the existing circuit:

Cow said:
Most of these installations someone put the photocell on the top of the first wallpak and then daisy chained the rest of them off of it. SOP for us it to add a contactor in a j-box, but there has to be an easier way for retrofits.
Click to expand...

I'll bet I can order the PC's Smart linked too, might be nice to have a few around the shop.
 
topgone said:
What's wrong with my post? Since the OP said he can't find a photocell rated at his voltage/amper rating of choice, why not work around the problem and use a contactor fed with 277V power? If you didn't get the scheme, ask. The photocell circuit should be dictated by the photocell rating! Ain't that clear enough?:happysad::happysad::happysad::happysad:
Click to expand...

I am with you. When that photocell fails the availability of a replacement is easier as well as less cost if it is a cell that is fairly common in the first place. Photo cell should need replaced more often than the contactor will.
 
Cow said:
They need to make a combination photocell/RIB to handle a full 16+ amps of ballast load in all voltages!
Click to expand...

I agree 100% and it is just what I could use.

I recently started service a school campus that must have 30 photocells with many either fully or overloaded. It seems we are always replacing them. I had already been thinking to myself of a small PVC box with a rib inside but that will look ugly in most locations. I am actually lucky in that they all seem to be 120 so I don't have to worry about voltage.
 
iwire said:
I agree 100% and it is just what I could use.

I recently started service a school campus that must have 30 photocells with many either fully or overloaded. It seems we are always replacing them. I had already been thinking to myself of a small PVC box with a rib inside but that will look ugly in most locations. I am actually lucky in that they all seem to be 120 so I don't have to worry about voltage.
Click to expand...

Could you use something like this? It may be way off, I just thought I would suggest it.

http://www.precisionmulticontrols.com/relays/relay1.html
 
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